FICCI
ladies Organisation (FLO), the oldest women business chamber of Southeast Asia
and women’s business wing of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry
(FICCI) and All India Women's Education Fund Association (AIWEFA), is
organising a ‘Khadi Goes Global’ a day long conclave cum exhibition at National
Handicrafts and Handloom Museum, New Delhi on February 21, 2019.
The
Conclave commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th
birth anniversary and 100
years of Khadi. It is also a celebration of ‘Khadi’ as the fabric of the nation
and weave the embodiment of the Mahatma's vision.
The
day long conclave with the Theme ‘Moving towards global sustainable development
for the future of mankind’ is being organised with the objective to promote
Khadi as global sustainable fabric and bring it to mainstream as a style
statement.
“As
the world is getting more and more sensitive towards the environment,
sustainable fabrics are in demand the importance of sustainability has played a
crucial role in the resurrection of Khadi. Hand woven Khadi has gained
worldwide appreciation as it is durable, climate friendly, zero carbon, bio
degradable, water conserving, long lasting and organic in nature. With the
growing awareness of sustainability, the demand for Khadi has increased.” Said
Ms Pinky Reddy, President, FICCI ladies Organisation (FLO).
"Khadi is also symbol of
women empowerment as most of weavers in India are women, it is important to
bring Khadi to mainstream, this will help weavers especially women to continue
doing what they do the best as well as create more jobs. Charkhas need to
travel back from museums, colleges and fashion events to weaver’s huts ",
said Ms Pinky Reddy.
“Our
endeavour is multidimensional - Ideological, economic and social. Our endeavour is to bring together all
stakeholders from the industry, government, fashion fraternity and others in
one single platform and create a roadmap to boost the sector and make it the
national fabric of India in the truest sense”, she further added.
AIWEFA
President, Ms. Asha Chandra, said, “Khadi Goes Global: empowerment of rural
women to achieve the 2030
agenda for change” has the potential to provide additional livelihoods for farm
women to raise their standards of living and revive traditional crafts".
The
major highlights of the day long conclave will include a Khadi Exhibition in
conjunction with Concern India Foundation and Pause for a Cause. The exhibition
will feature exhibitors from different parts of the country from leading
designers to grass root crafts persons.
Speaker
Sessions on “What’s Next in Khadi” will be organised with Speakers such as
Sunaina Suneja, Antonio M. Grioli, Sandhya Raman, Shazia Amanat, Rta Kapoor
Chisti, Prof Charu Smita, Mandeep Nagi, Madhu Sood, Ambika Magotra and Jyotsna
Kapur.
This
will be followed by an afternoon Fashion presentation by Shades of India and
upcoming Khadi designers.
The
highlight of the Conclave is the National Award Ceremony, felicitating the
promoters and producers of Khadi from across the country. “We would like to
acknowledge the painstaking efforts made by designers, artisans, facilitators
and others in keeping the tradition of Khadi alive. In recognition of their
outstanding contribution, we will give away the National Awards to the
promoters and producers of Khadi.” said Pinky Reddy.
A
plenary session on Empowerment of Rural Women to Achieve the 2030 Agenda for Development- Khadi as the Fabric of
Freedom, Fashion And Finance with eminent Panelists such as Sukanya Bharatram Gandhi , Great Grand
Daughter of Mahatma Gandhi ;Rohit Bal, Fashion Designer; Sabyasachi Mukherjee,
Fashion Designer; Rajesh Pratap Singh, Fashion designer; Zafar Chaudhary,
Partner -Habitat Architects; Mandeep Nagi, Design Director- Shades of India;
Sita Nanda, Founder - Design
workshop;Sunil Sethi, President –FDCI; Geeta Chandran, Bharatanatyam dancer and
vocalist and Sandhya Raman, Dance stylist
The
day will conclude with Khadi Mudra Dance Performance titled “An Ode to Mahatma”
by Geeta Chandran and Sandhya Raman, followed by a Khadi fashion presentation
by eminent fashion designers Rohit Bal, Rina Dhaka, Rajesh Pratap Singh and Abu
Jani & Sandeep Khosla.
